GFL Founder & CEO Patrick Dovigi Wins Prestigious Ernst & Young Award

TORONTO, October 25, 2017 — Patrick Dovigi, Founder and CEO of GFL Environmental Inc., has been named Entrepreneur of the Year in the Power & Utilities & Environment sector at the EY Entrepreneur of the Year™ 2017 Ontario Awards presented by Ernst & Young.

Dovigi, 38, formed GFL (Green For Life) Environmental in 2007 and has grown the business in less than 10 years from a single-employee startup into a highly-diverse environmental services provider with almost 5,000 employees, operations across Canada and a growing presence in the United States.

A key factor to the Dovigi/GFL success story lies in Patrick’s foresight in differentiating GFL from its competitors by offering a “one stop shop” to customers with multiple environmental service needs. As such, GFL is currently the only major diversified environmental solutions company in North America offering services in solid waste management, liquid waste management and infrastructure services.

With a strategically located network of more than 140 facilities across Canada and in Michigan plus a growing reputation as one of the largest providers of soil recycling service in Ontario, GFL has focussed heavily on innovation and new technology to drive growth, improve efficiencies and further distinguish the company from its competition. As a leader in a historically low-tech industry, GFL has invested significantly in compressed natural gas technology to run various residential and commercial fleets, in new technologies to increase routing efficiencies and in organics recycling facilities that support governmental landfill diversion goals.

Recognized by Ernst & Young for his vision, leadership, entrepreneurial spirit and the financial performance of GFL, Patrick Dovigi has spearheaded the more than 60 strategic corporate acquisitions that have contributed to GFL’s growth to more than $1 billion in annual revenue since inception.

Dovigi’s philanthropic contributions also played a role in the decision to name him 2017 Ontario EY Power & Utilities & Environment Entrepreneur of the Year. Last year, he hosted the Camp Oochigeas Gala in Toronto and raised over $1.2 million with GFL Environmental to lead the event as primary sponsor. Earlier in 2016, GFL matched employee donations to help Fort McMurray fire relief efforts.

Additionally, Patrick’s support for his employees — as witnessed in the role he played in the successful nomination of GFL General Counsel Joy Grahek as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women of 2016 — sends a very clear message that GFL strongly supports diversity at all levels within the company.

Accepting the award on October 24, 2017, Dovigi thanked his family, GFL’s customers, employees and investors as well as fellow category finalists from Ecofitt Corporation, Opus One Solutions and Spark Power Corp.

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